Dubrovnik

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We set an alarm for 8:45 thinking that we wouldn’t need it and even thinking we would get up early enough to see some more of Vienna, but we were all startled awake with the buzzing of the alarm. By the time we were showered, packed up, and taken the U-Bahn to the train station, we had missed our planned train to the Vienna airport. We were relieved to find that one can check-in and even check bags for Austrian air flights in the train station – reminding us once again that there is no need for stress in Vienna. Travel by airplane then taxi all went smoothly and we arrived at our hotel in Dubrovnik, 100 yards from the Pile gate. After briefly enjoying the air conditioning, we headed out to explore the walled city. We walked the main Stradun and made comparisons to Venice, the rival city across the Adriatic Sea. Like Venice, the city depends on tourism for survival and is filled with gift shops, restaurants and hawkers, but unlike Venice, Dubrovnik has an authentic feel with thousand-year old ruins, immense natural beauty, and shopkeepers and restauranteurs that do their best to provide high quality service and goods. We arrived late in the day, after the crowds from the cruise ships had departed, and we ambled down side alleys in the old town, finding a pair of sunglasses for Lauren and an ice cream snack. One of the main activities in Dubrovnik is walking the ancient city walls. With the crowds gone and the heat of the day starting to pass, it seemed like a good time to take the tour. Two hours and hundreds of photos later (the views are spectacular) we descended back into the city, quite ready for dinner. All the guide books tell you to have low expectations for dinner in Dubrovnik and we won’t tell you otherwise; but having set our expectation low, we found a fine pizza parlor with lovely outdoor dining ambiance and a bottle of Croatian wine. Continuing our analogy with Venice, where Andrew fell in love with the pigeons in San Marcos square, we came upon some hawkers tempting children to be climbed upon by their birds – two macaws, a parrot and a cockatiel. Soon enough, Andrew had inserted himself in their midst and had all four birds climbing upon him. He was in seventh heaven and the photos are more than worth the 20 kuna (~4 dollars) we dropped into their hat.

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Photos

John and Andrew by the Pile Gate
Just 100 yards from our hotel, this is one of the gates to the walled city of Dubrovnik, accessed via a drawbridge (it doesn't appear to be functional any more but still very cool).

First ice cream in Dubrovnik
It's hot in Dubrovnik and ice cream vendors are plentiful. We stopped for a treat before heading up to walk the city walls.

View from the city wall
The city walls offer many spectacular views. Following the geography of the city, the walls take many different angles and pitches and are built up here and there with lookout towers and battlements. This picture was taken through one of the wall's lookouts.

Atop the city wall
John, Lauren and Andrew with the Adriatic Sea in the background.

Exploring the Wall
Lauren comes back up to the top of the wall after exploring one of the many side staircases.

Goofing around on the Wall
Sonia was trying to shoot a photo back along the wall at John and Andrew, but Lauren decided she would be in the photo instead.

Lokrum Island
Lauren poses with Lokrum Island in the background. This smal island just offshore is our desination for tomorrow.

Andrew and Cannon
Andrew poses by one of the cannons that have been left in place to remind visitors of the importance of the city walls for defense.

John climbing
John is climbing up towards the highest section of the wall that runs along the inland edge of the city.

High Point
Walking along the inland side of the wall, we reached the highest battlement with this great view across the city with the sea beyond.

Andrew and Birds, 2011
Exotic birds were available to pose with tourists -- an irresistable lure for Andrew. The proprietor even provided coaching to Andrew on how to pose for the best photo.